There’s no way to put together truly definite rankings of the best Disney attractions. Everything is subjective, but that’s also what makes exercises like this one so much fun! If we all listed the same top five, it would get dull pretty quickly. Today, I’ve focused my attention on Fantasyland at Walt Disney World, and it’s trickier than I originally expected. Disney has added new attractions but also removed beloved ones. Figuring out where I stand on each one is difficult. I originally wrote this blog in 2020, and honestly not much has changed in Fantasyland. But it’s still worth refreshing the list with my 2026 thoughts!
The big question is how much nostalgia plays into my picks. Can I match up an attraction that I loved as a kid in the ’80s against something that’s only been in place for a decade? It’s an unfair comparison, but there is no way to set aside my feelings from those early trips. Instead, I’ll use the descriptions to help explain my experiences with each attraction. The ultimate slots are less important to me than why they ended up there.
Polling the Crowd on Fantasyland
Out of curiosity, I created a poll back in 2020 (on a site that shall not be named) that listed possibilities for the top spot. There was a limit on four attractions, so I didn’t include “it’s a small world”. I doubt it could have unseated Peter Pan’s Flight as the winner. What surprised me was the low percentage of votes for Seven Dwarfs Mine Train. There’s usually a recency bias in this type of poll, and many likely haven’t experienced some older attractions.
Beyond the victory for Peter Pan, what stands out is the split among the other options. There was no clear consensus about the second favorite attraction within Fantasyland. When I reached the top five of my list, I definitely understood the difficulty to rank them. Peter Pan’s Flight has both the legacy and current popularity, while the other three only have one piece.
Before diving into the list, I should clarify that I never experienced the Mickey Mouse Revue (at least in my memories). It closed when I was four years old in 1980. I’m also not including meet and greets, restaurants, play areas, and castle shows. I had to draw the line somewhere. Let’s get to my rankings!
17. Mad Tea Party
Every choice has something going for it; there are no duds. My picks sometimes relate to how frequently I choose to experience the attraction. Also, how disappointed would I be if we skipped it? Those questions play a role in the Mad Tea Party ending up in the bottom spot. Spinning around in a tea cup is fun! But how often do I ride it?
Like many attractions in Fantasyland, the Mad Tea Party works for almost any age. If you don’t love motion, you can just chill and not increase the spins. The trick is making sure your other passengers agree with this plan. The Mad Tea Party has a cool look with all the cups spinning at once, but it’s also tucked away in the corner near Tomorrowland. The overhead cover protects us from the Florida sun, but there’s only so much to see. It’s also the type of attraction we see in many amusement parks. Despite the legacy, there’s just not enough to move it up the list.
I’ve never gotten sick on a tea cups ride, but that’s always in the back of my mind. My daughter and I rode a similar ride at Six Flags Great America recently, and I still was nervous about too much spinning. Of course there’s always one vehicle that’s spinning crazily next to us! It’s usually being led by a guy who looks like a football player or a group of manic teens. I don’t think I could even figure out how to reach that speed! Even at this bottom spot, there are always silly moments on the Mad Tea Party.
16. The Barnstormer
You can’t deny the importance of “rite of passage” attractions at Walt Disney World, especially with thrill rides. Kids progress through Disney’s coasters up to the parks’ most intense attractions. The starting point for many is The Barnstormer, which mirrors a typical kids coaster but with better theming. Kids that aren’t ready for Seven Dwarfs Mine Train or Big Thunder Mountain Railroad might want to start here.
The Barnstormer received an update when it became part of Storybook Circus, with The Great Goofini (aka Goofy) becoming the star. While it fits better in the overall land now, the experience is largely the same. For adults, cramming yourself into the small coaster is a challenge; your back also takes a beating! Even so, it’s fun to join your kids and enjoy a few small drops and turns. The short ride time is the biggest drawback, though it does limit the damage!
On our last visit, we reached the platform next to a family with a screaming kid; in fact, they had two frightened kids. He wanted no part of the Barnstormer! Instead of just deciding this was a bad idea, they just kept forcing the young ones forward. One boy especially was losing his mind. I know we should help our children to conquer their fears, but there is a point where maybe you just move onto a less thrilling attraction. I try not to judge too harshly, and the kids appeared to survive the ordeal. It’s just a reminder that not everyone is ready for even Disney’s starter coaster.
15. Legend of The Lion King
When I first created my Fantasyland rankings, my immediate thought was to place Legend of The Lion King into last place. It’s one of the most head-scratching attractions that Disney has ever created. Running from 1994 to 2002, this show was replaced by Mickey’s PhilharMagic. It made sense for Disney to capitalize on the popularity of The Lion King film. I’m still amazed they chose such a strange show!
Featuring life-size puppets and clips from the movie, Legend of the Lion King had similarities to Voyage of the Little Mermaid at the Disney/MGM Studios. The difference was the focus on the puppets, which made me laugh every time. The reason that Legend of the Lion King moved up two spots is its oddness. I want more weird shows at Walt Disney World! Not every attraction can have a huge budget, and it showed with this production.
14. Prince Charming Regal Carrousel
We’re back to another charming (no pun intended) attraction that goes back to the park’s opening in 1971. I enjoy a good carousel, and riding them with my kids is always a blast. It’s a must ride on each of our trips, and it hasn’t changed as they’ve become teens. Built in 1917 by the Philadelphia Toboggan Co., the Prince Charming Regal Carrousel’s original location was Belle Isle Park in Detroit, Michigan.
The Carrousel’s placement is more about the complexity of attractions that follow. You also can ride this type of attraction in countless parks. Disney’s version definitely is better maintained and more impressive than my local examples. However, the riding experience isn’t completely different. The Disney charm makes this attraction stand on its own, but it’s not enough to land higher on this list.
13. Enchanted Tales with Belle
There are certain attractions that I admire but don’t feel the need to experience again. A perfect example is Enchanted Tales with Belle, which employs clever technology to go beyond a typical meet and greet. You have the chance to meet Belle, but there’s also a story delivered through cool effects like the Enchanted Wardrobe. It’s worth checking out at least once.
What keeps me from listing Enchanted Tales with Belle higher is my limited personal interest. My kids enjoyed seeing Belle (especially when they were younger), but the story line is pretty basic. Do we need to recreate the story of how Belle met The Beast? I’d much rather see a new tale with Belle and her magical friends. Just looking back at the familiar story is easy but also limits my excitement.
Enchanted Tales with Belle offers a fresh take on the meet and greet with audience participation, but it’s not something to visit regularly. I do sense that maybe it’s already lost some of its luster today nearly 14 years after it opened in 2012. People still love Beauty and the Beast, so I suspect young kids still love it. It’s just not the big draw it once was during its early days.
12. Magic Journeys
I wasn’t sure whether to even include Magic Journeys because it originated at EPCOT Center in the Imagination pavilion. What made the difference was recognizing that this 3D movie played much longer in Fantasyland than its original run. After being replaced by Captain EO in February 1986, this mesmerizing film shifted to The Magic Kingdom and played there from 1987 to 1993. It’s one of the more haunting attractions that Disney has ever created.
Magic Journeys has a late ’70s vibe with its synth music and relaxed pace, but it still makes an impact today. The main reason is the eerie tone that remains unsettling even when watched on YouTube. In particular, a scene with a witch projected into the moon still haunts me. When you add that moment to creepy clowns, kids mindlessly chanting, and the intimacy of 3D, it’s the stuff of nightmares! The theme from The Sherman Brothers also is one of their best songs.
It’s hard to explain just how unsettling Magic Journeys was on the big screen in 3D. Looking back at this film, it’s a perfect example of weird Walt Disney World. I love that the parks could sometimes scare us, and not in conventional ways. That witch was frightening, but it stuck with you. It’s hard to create something that seems like it’s fine for all audiences on the surface, but there’s a sinister vibe beneath the surface. I’d love to see a tribute version return in the future.
11. The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh
We’ve reached a stretch of attractions that provide a good time. With the current ones, I visit them on most trips and enjoy the experience. The placement is really about the overall impact on me. The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh starts this group because it doesn’t feel as essential. I’ll grab an extra Lightning Lane and ride it, but I’m okay if we skip it.
Opening in 2003, Pooh is a solid dark ride. It takes you on a journey through familiar moments and includes well-designed scenes. What’s missing are extra touches to make it a classic. Pooh’s Hunny Hunt in Tokyo reveals the potential of this source material. This version just plays it safe. The fact that it replaced Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride doesn’t help either. I appreciate the giant story book pages that present the idea we’re traveling right into the world of A.A. Milne. Pooh is a fun character, and there’s plenty to like.
10. Under the Sea ~ Journey of The Little Mermaid
Just sneaking into the top ten is one of Disney’s more recent additions to Fantasyland (relatively speaking). Opening in 2012, this modern dark ride includes an incredible facade that lifts it above the DCA version. The queue also sets the stage well for us to journey under the sea. I appreciate the high capacity and shorter lines, especially on a hot day. The opening scene, “Under the Sea” room, and Ursula animatronic lift it above the typical dark ride.
What keeps Under the Sea: Journey of The Little Mermaid from going higher is what’s missing. If you’re doing a book report attraction, you can’t skip the final act. Certain animatronics, especially Ariel and Eric in the above photo, are laughably unconvincing. It’s easy to focus on the flaws of what’s clearly an expensive attraction. This could have been a classic Fantasyland dark ride, and it’s instead just a solid, weirdly condensed attraction.
I have to take a moment here to just elaborate on the animatronics and why they’re so unsettling. I think it’s because the figures’ bodies are designed well, but their faces are stuck in a creepy smile. It’s like the design reached a certain point and just stopped. I’ll admit that the Ariel and Eric figures at the end have brought a lot of enjoyment to our family. Their strange waving and motionless faces embody what’s charming but also a little frightening in this Little Mermaid attraction.
9. Dumbo The Flying Elephant
Fewer attractions represent Disney’s theme parks better than Dumbo the Flying Elephant. There’s a reason we have a version of this attraction at every Disney resort. While it’s technically a spinner that resembles many other attractions, Dumbo feels different. Silver Dollar City in Missouri also has a spinning ride with elephants, but it’s doesn’t feel the same. The mix of theming, cool views, and just plain fun brings it all together.
Nostalgia plays a role here; I enjoyed Dumbo when I was a kid and love riding it with my family today. It also connects to one of Disney’s earliest films and fits well inside Storybook Circus. Having two Dumbos right next to each other also helps eliminate the massive lines of the past. The indoor play area makes the wait better too, if you don’t mind screaming kids. Dumbo outshines its ride system and delivers something magical.
8. Mickey’s PhilharMagic
Opening in 2003, Mickey’s PhilharMagic was a big step forward for 3D films. Its mix of impressive visuals, smells, and in-theater effects isn’t jarring or intense. Nothing here scares kids, and the film recreates Disney classics in an interesting way. Beyond that, it’s a relaxing and fun experience that honors Disney history. Plenty of small touches in the queue (like the music notes in the above photo) expand the experience.
I love that Disney updated PhilharMagic with the new Coco scene in 2021. The only downside is that its effects stand out as being much better than the other scenes. It’s an awesome addition, and I’d love to see a few more updates. This isn’t really a negative for PhilharMagic, which still provides an entertaining show. The remaining seven picks all take us through a physical space. Given these limitations, PhilharMagic is a home run that continues to charm guests of all ages.
7. Snow White’s Adventures
Most of my memories of Snow White’s Adventures look back to the original version that opened with the park in 1971. The witch freaked me out as a kid with its frequent appearances to scare us. What makes this attraction so original is the way the Imagineers didn’t create a book report. We experience moments from the movie but not in the same way. The idea of the riders as Snow White also shifts the tone to feel more sinister with the witch lurking around every corner.
The revamped 1994 version, despite being named Snow White’s Scary Adventures, actually removed much of the edge. It’s still a good dark ride but not as memorable because it’s safer. I appreciate when Disney attractions feel a little weird and scary. They give us something different than we expect. The changes made sense, and it was still sad to have Snow White lose out to a meet and greet. Fantasyland at Walt Disney World needs more dark rides! Thankfully, we can still join Snow White in Disneyland, though kids today won’t experience nightmares from the Enchanted Wish.
6. Skyway to Tomorrowland
I love unique transportation options at Walt Disney World, and the Skyway was a perfect example. The gondolas perfectly match the European vibe of Fantasyland and made for a more vibrant land. They also provided an enjoyable way to skip the long walk to Space Mountain from the edge of Fantasyland. Another benefit was the cool views from above the park; it helped to spotlight the massive scale of The Magic Kingdom.
Unfortunately, Disney closed the Skyway in November 1999 due to maintenance costs and safety concerns. All three versions of this attraction have closed, and the parks deserve more. The Skyliner offers a similar vibe, but it’s more of a transportation system than an attraction. The Skyway offered a fun ride beyond its ability to move guests. It was a true gem.
We’ve seen with the success of the PeopleMover that guests are craving various ways to experience the parks. The view from above gives us a different perspective of the attractions that you can’t get anywhere else. I recently visited Cedar Point, and that park’s Sky Ride reminded me of why I loved this Magic Kingdom version. We were able to take a break and recover from the giant coasters in a cool setting. Having the chance to do this at Walt Disney World was a rare treat.
5. Seven Dwarfs Mine Train
One of the most popular attractions in The Magic Kingdom, the Seven Dwarfs Mine Train is a coaster designed for people that don’t want intense thrills. There are a few drops and sudden turns, but it’s a smooth ride. When you add in a wonderful dark ride section in the middle and a nice finale, it all works. Fantasyland needed a headliner to draw crowds, and this 2014 addition checked all the right boxes.
Seven Dwarfs Mine Train also heightens the atmosphere of the surrounding area. You can hear the fun everyone is having from all over the park. This ambience is critical at a place like the Magic Kingdom with quite a few indoor attractions near this area. Even if you aren’t interested in riding this coaster, you feel the excitement while you stroll around Fantasyland.
Why is it not higher then, you ask? First of all, it’s still a short ride of less than three minutes. The dark ride portion is awesome, but it goes by quickly. Finally, low capacity can lead to long waits even on slower days. There’s plenty to recommend about Seven Dwarfs Mine Train, and it definitely belongs in the top five. I’m just not ready to declare it the winner given the limitations.
4. Peter Pan’s Flight
Peter Pan’s Flight won my 2020 online poll by a decent margin, which surprised me. It’s been around since opening day and is still popular with a wide range of guests, so the results make sense. It is the only classic dark ride left in The Magic Kingdom, so I’m glad it still draws crowds. It’s charming to fly over London and join Peter Pan, Wendy, and Tinker Bell for their adventures. The effect is still convincing, especially if we let down our guard and just enjoy the adventure.
Peter Pan’s Flight succeeds due to its inventive ride system, which goes back to the first version at Disneyland in 1955. Disney has improved the sets and even added more effects to other parks, but Florida’s version retains the classic feeling. It offers a perfect example of how you don’t need a massive show building and expensive sets to entertain guests. The #4 spot just comes down to personal preference and how much I enjoy the top three picks.
The Imagineers did an excellent job updating Peter Pan’s standby queue with new effects. I’d love to see them take a similar approach to the ride. The extra touches make Disneyland’s version a much better experience, and the ride system also could use some TLC. The Shanghai version also shows the potential for modern effects to heighten this cool dark ride. There’s room for improvement, but Peter Pan’s Flight remains a Disney classic.
3. 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea
I love ambitious theme park attractions that convey a real feeling of adventure in a physical space. While the submarines in 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea never actually dove beneath the surface, the journey was easy to believe. What made The Magic Kingdom attraction shine were the ride vehicles that directly matched the look of the 1954 film. The distinctive subs and beautiful lagoon sold the idea of a journey to another place.
20,000 Leagues Under the Sea did more than just provide a fun experience. It enhanced all of Fantasyland and helped it avoid becoming a world of concrete. There’s a lot to enjoy in New Fantasyland today, but we miss the lagoon and the atmosphere it created. The high costs and low capacity led to its closure in 1994, which is understandable but still stings. We can still board a sub at Disneyland, though it’s a much different version today with Nemo again getting lost (sigh).
2. “it’s a small world”
This might be the most surprising choice on this list given the overall reputation of this attraction. I don’t have much nostalgia for this little boat ride either. It wasn’t a favorite when I was younger, and my appreciation has really grown in the past 10 years. “it’s a small world” has become one of my favorite spots to relax and just enjoy a cool ride. You can see so much on each sailing, and I didn’t give its charms enough credit when I was younger.
There’s a common misconception that the Sherman Brothers’ theme song for “it’s a small world” just keeps playing over and over. That isn’t really the case since it’s mostly sung in other languages. I’ve never been driven mad by the song, and the only scary thing is really the weird clowns on balloons. What I love about this attraction is all the color and vitality that exists in every room. You can’t catch it all in a single visit! The mix of Mary Blair’s gorgeous art, upbeat music, and a real sense of fun and wonder combines to deliver one of Disney’s most underrated attractions.
I also love the addition of the new verse from Richard Sherman in the final room. Bob Iger can seem weirdly robotic at times, but he’s rarely seemed more human than when he learned about it in this video. It’s little touches like these that keep me coming back to this attraction on every visit. It feels quintessentially Disney in the best way possible. It’s my favorite in Fantasyland today.
1. Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride
When I think about what I enjoy about theme parks, it’s sometimes just about taking a fun ride. You don’t need the latest technology, a complicated story, or a huge brand to deliver a brilliant attraction. Sometimes we just want to board an old-time car, crash through sets, and get hit by a train before going to hell. Okay, maybe that’s not exactly what we want. But you get the idea! Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride is remarkable when you consider the limited popularity of its source material.
Looking back at this restored home video from 1994 on the RetroWDW Channel, there are so many small details to enjoy. Even just having the two cars wait for each other at the start is a nice touch. You also have the painfully repetitive song that played within the queue. During the ride, there’s so much zany behavior happening all around your vehicle! The left side in particular seems nuttier, though you do miss the falling suit of armor on that track. It was fun even after a lot of rides.
This Fantasyland pick may relate to nostalgia, but I’m confident it would still be near the top if it was open today. The two different tracks made the Walt Disney World version superior to Disneyland’s (queue pictured above) because you had different experiences. The rooms when both paths converge were amazingly chaotic and enjoyable. To put it simply, Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride was just fun. I couldn’t ask for more from a classic theme park attraction.
Do you agree with my picks? What are your favorite attractions in Fantasyland?
Related Articles: Fantasyland
Ranking Walt Disney World’s Roller Coasters
All-time World Showcase Attractions Ranked
Ranking 17 All-Time Tomorrowland Attractions at Walt Disney World
This post contains affiliate links. Making any purchase through those links supports this site. See full disclosure.
Leave a Reply